Blog Central

We celebrate #hockeyisback in the season premiere of Cisco NHL Live today 5-7 p.m. ET on the NHL Network. Bill Pidto and EJ Hradek will keep you updated on all the news as training camps open to prepare for the NHL season.

Every day this week NHL Network will be live at a different training camp starting with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. We will talk with Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby from the team practice facility on his health and readiness for the start of the season. We will also talk to Penguins coach Dan Bylsma and get a report from Rob Rossi from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

With four new coaches in the League and training camps shortened, we will ask our own resident coach, NHL Network analyst Barry Melrose, how he thinks these teams and new leaders should prepare. We'll also get the latest stories on signings, injuries and players to watch from NHL Network insider Bob McKenzie.

What is going on with goalie Roberto Luongo? On Cisco NHL Live we will talk to Kevin Woodley on what the current status is of the All-Star and what kind of effect his presence is having on the Canucks.

Don't forget to submit your #AskEJ questions through Twitter via @NHLNetwork or @EJHradek_NHL and keep an eye on this Senior Reporter's dance moves in his inaugural EJ5: Hradek's Top 5 Thoughts of the Day.

Make sure to tune in on the season premiere of Cisco NHL Live on NHL Network from 5-7 p.m. ET with Bill Pidto and EJ Hradek.

The Cisco NHL Live Blog is your inside source for everything Cisco NHL Live, airing on the NHL Network from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday from the NHL Powered by Reebok Store in the heart of New York City. The NHL Live Blog will detail the appearances of all our great guests, including current and former NHL players, coaches, front-office personnel, prospects, hockey insiders and celebs.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite TV show? Well, here at the Cisco NHL Live Blog, we'll give you, the NHL super fan, a unique insider experience. You'll also have your voice seen and heard as we'll host chats and search for the best "Ask EJ's." Ask, and ask often, because your question could be answered live on the air.

Want to re-watch your favorite player, coach or celebrity get interviewed? We'll share clips of the most memorable interviews and discussions from the crew right here.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA -- Defenseman Seth Jones and center Nathan MacKinnon will highlight the rosters for their respective teams on Wednesday when the 2013 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is held at the Metro Centre in Halifax.

With the exception of the three players representing Team Cherry from Halifax -- MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Zachary Fucale -- 37 others will be arriving in the province of Nova Scotia on Monday afternoon.

Team Cherry and head coach Don Cherry will conduct a practice session at 6 p.m. ET, followed by Team Orr and coach Mike McPhee at 7 p.m. ET.

Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla did not skate with his teammates Sunday on the first day of training camp because of a groin injury.

General manager Jay Feaster told reporters it was a precautionary move. The Flames were also short center Roman Cervenka and defenseman Anton Babchuk.

Cervenka is not allowed to skate because he is still taking blood-thinning medication after dealing with blood clots while playing in the Kontinental Hockey League. Feaster said Cervenka will visit a specialist in the next week to determine when he can stop taking the medication.

A free-agent addition in the offseason, the Flames hope Cervenka can fortify what has been an ongoing problem for several seasons at center.

Feaster said Babchuk is expected to be out three weeks with a shoulder injury he incurred while playing in the KHL during the lockout.

How happy were Columbus fans to see their Blue Jackets back on the ice? So happy that they packed the team's practice facility for the opening day of training camp -- which began with a standing ovation from the crowd.

John Davidson, the Jackets' new president, had a simple message for his players before practice began: "We're going north." He also said the franchise's goal is to be the hardest-working team in the NHL and a club that brings high intensity every day.

"We want the fans to come watch a team that's going to work our tails off," he said.

With Rick Nash, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, gone to the New York Rangers in an offseason deal, Davidson said he's OK with a "score by committee" approach. Perhaps not surprisingly for a former goaltender, he's more concerned about how his team plays in its own zone.

"I'm more worried about keeping the puck out of the net," Davidson said. "If we do that, we'll be fine. It's obvious with our club that we're going to need four lines, and they're all going to have to do some scoring for us."

"He’s coming in today," Holmgren said Sunday as the team opened training camp when asked about Pronger's status. "He’s going to see the doctor."

Pronger has not played since November 2011; he's been unable to recover from the symptoms he suffered from following a concussion. He's still under contract for the next five seasons, but Holmgren said there hasn't been any change in his status.

"Down the road? I guess you could say slight chance," he said when asked about Pronger's chances of playing, "but I’d probably classify it as highly unlikely. Nothing’s changed."

Holmgren said Pronger has been able to do a few things for the Flyers off the ice.

"Chris actually does a lot of things for us," he said. "He’s been to the odd game. He does a lot of video scouting for us of young players. He tells it like it is. He tells it as he sees it."

Roberto Luongo's time in Vancouver may be coming to an end, but Canucks general manager Mike Gillis won't give away the winningest goaltender in franchise history.

Luongo has been the subject of trade rumors since the Canucks signed Cory Schneider to a three-year, $12 million deal this summer with the expectation that he'll take over the starting job. Luongo is set to begin the third year of a 12-year contract that carries a $5.3 million cap hit, and the Canucks would rather not carry both players.

But Gillis isn't just going to throw the best goaltender in franchise history over the side.

"We're at a point where we expect high-caliber players coming back to us should moves be made," he said during meeting with the media on Sunday. "We're sticking to that."

Luongo has said he would waive his no-trade clause if asked, and has told Gillis to take as long as needed to make a deal.

The Dallas Stars opened training camp on Sunday without unsigned restricted free agent forward Jamie Benn, though general manager Joe Nieuwendyk hopes to have him under contract soon.

"I'm optimistic that we'll have him back on the team, but it won't be today," Nieuwendyk told ESPN.com on Sunday morning. "We'll focus on the guys we have here because it's a short camp and we need to get ready. But in the meantime, certainly we'll keep working away at trying to get Jamie re-signed."

Benn was second on the Stars in scoring last season with 63 points, including 26 goals, in 71 games. The 23-year-old has 160 points in 222 games during his three seasons with Dallas.

Barker was Chicago's first-round pick (No. 3) in the 2004 NHL Draft and spent 4 1/2 seasons with the Hawks before being dealt to the Minnesota Wild at the 2010 trade deadline. He played last season in Edmonton after signing with the Oilers as a free agent in the summer of 2011, but was not tendered a contract in June and became a free agent again.

Barker signed a 25-game tryout with the Texas Stars of the AHL during the lockout, scoring three goals and eight points in 23 games, but the team opted to sever ties with him after it expired. He has been skating in Vancouver since then.

Coach Alain Vigneault said Sunday that he will give Barker an opportunity, and that Barker will practice and scrimmage with the team this week.

The 26-year-old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has played 296 NHL games, scoring 21 goals and collecting 94 points along with 286 penalty minutes. He has three goals, nine points and two penalty minutes in 17 playoff games.

Fehr, 27, had 13 goals and 25 points and was plus-13 in 21 games with HPK of the SM-liiga in Finland this season. In 2011-12, Fehr scored two goals and added one assist with 12 penalty minutes in 35 games with the Winnipeg Jets. He was traded to Winnipeg by Washington on July 8, 2011, in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick (Thomas Di Pauli) and Danick Paquette.

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound forward has 48 goals, 96 points and a plus-27 rating in 265 career NHL games with Washington and Winnipeg. Fehr tallied 46 goals and 93 points in 230 games with the Capitals from 2005-11, including a career-high 39 points (21 goals, 18 assists) in 69 games with Washington during 2009-10. In 26 career playoff games, all with Washington, Fehr has five goals and one assist.

The Winkler, Manitoba, native was the Capitals’ first-round choice (No. 18) in the 2003 NHL Draft.